Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Two quilt tops to share with you today. The first is "Live Simply" which is from a Cheri Payne pattern. Another easy design. I used the fusible applique method with machine stitching. All cottons this time.

Close up view of the blocks.

Love the striped hand!

Next is the "Watering Can" flimsy made from a Joined At the Hip pattern in an alphabet book. I forget the exact measurements but it is around 48 inches across. Rather big for my taste. If I were to make it again (and I won't be doing that), I would take time to decrease the lettering and applique size for a more manageable wall size quilt. As is, it would take a fair size space on a wall but not big enough to cover up with on a sofa. I will probably drape it from the back of a chair. This one makes me think of summer.

I was able to make these two tops from stash. The border on the watering can quilt is a Jan Patek piece left over from two other smaller wall quilts that I made. For the "Live Simply" piece, I used a few pieces from scraps I won from Cheri a while back and the rest from my stash.

I am enjoying my time in the sewing room using my stash fabrics and making use of quilt patterns I have stashed away.
Karen

Sunday, April 27, 2014

At last, I am back working on "Tiptoe Through the Tulips". When I last posted a picture, I had thought the large center applique work was done. But I had forgotten to add the red birds on the green leafy stems. I don't know if they are supposed to be bird flowers or what. Once I realized that I needed to add those applique shapes, I saw that the first round surrounding the medallion center was the dreaded diamonds. They don't always turn out well for me. I thought about the diamonds while I did the applique. I decided I did not need to actually work with a diamond shape to create them. Rectangles with connector corners would create the same look. And that is what I did.

The connector corner method does waste fabric for me but I think someone would love to have the parts I cut off to trim up and make into a small quilt.

I am using reproduction fabrics from stash to make this quilt. The next round has a lot of applique to do on it. I plan on cutting the background strips this afternoon so I can start on it soon.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

My Jubilee Album quilt is complete. I used a pattern published in Fons and Porter's "Love of Quilting" magazine. It was a series quilt that started in the October, 2003 issue.

I used a fusible applique technique to create the blocks. Tiny stitching around the edges of the pieces. Debra of "Life Is A Stitch...and Thoughts That Make Me Smile" blog did the machine quilting. Debra did custom quilting and it fits the prim style I like. I told her to use her own judgement in how to quilt it and I am pleased with the result. You can visit her blog and see a post about the quilt using this link (Blogger won't let me do the regular link up today) http://mylifeisastitch.blogspot.com/2014/03/supposedly-spring.html. If you are interested in information about her machine quilting services, send her an e-mail. I know she does machine quilting for many local customers and will do it by mail also.

Some close ups of some of the blocks.

I am heading to the sewing room to play. I have so many projects that I want to work on. Which one will it be?
Karen

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Some pieces and parts to share with you. My fingers are working pretty good now as far as ability to do hand work. The first small quilt was made before surgery, though. Another Sarah Sporer design. This one is called "Hare" and is for April. A fast project since it is raw edge applique done with a running stitch.

Next up are some blocks for a spring quilt by Joined at the Hip. There is one more applique block to make and then some pieced blocks. This is one design from a set of twelve. It is a pattern where you make a base quilt and the monthly designs are to be attached with buttons and loops. I prefer a quilt that can be used to cover up with instead of a large wall quilt. I don't think it would work well to cover up with if it has loose parts. So I plan on piecing all the parts together. I doubt I will ever make twelve separate quilts from the pattern set.

And the third thing I have to share is a heart block from Jan Patek's "Hearts and Flowers" pattern. This is made with her Front Porch line of fabric. There are basket blocks and flowers blocks and lots more hearts.

If you have the pattern for the heart quilt beware. There is a cutting error for both sizes of connector squares that form the heart shapes. They are too large. I did not make a sample block nor take time to think the block through so I have 300 squares to trim down. And fortunately, the squares are too large instead of too small where I would need to track down more of the background fabric.

I have lots more in the works and will share with you soon. All from projects that have been prepped and ready to go for a while.
Karen

Friday, April 11, 2014

Swollen and bandaged after hand surgery for carpal tunnel. Actually, I had two procedures done on the hand. The second was to keep two fingers from locking. The bandage came off after three days. I spent ten days with my arm elevated as much as I could and doing a hand exercise to try to make a fist. I read two books, watched a lot of television, surfed the web, and did jigsaw puzzles to try and entertain myself. I got bored after several days of doing that. Now my fingers are doing well but I still have a bit of swelling in one and it does not want to straighten all the way. My hand is still sore but getting better each day.

I am able to do some applique but it was pretty slow for three or four days. Now I have picked up some speed but can not do it for long periods of time. Here are the two blocks I have completed.

They are part of a quilt that I am making called "Sweet Grace" which is designed by Jan Patek.

I am able to use a rotary cutter a little bit but no marathon cutting for sure! I have lots of projects that are prepped and waiting for stitching. Yesterday was the first day I used the sewing machine. And I limited my time doing that. The doctor said it would be about three months before my full grip returns. I find myself opening the fridge and the car door with my opposite hand. It is hard for me to slice a banana. Odd what bothers my hand and what doesn't.

Come back for a visit soon. I will have more to share with you before long.
Karen